Philippe Coutinho advices Barcelona to sign Tottenham ace Toby Alderweireld'

Philippe Coutinho 

PHILIPPE COUTINHO has told Barcelona that they must sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The Belgian’s current deal runs in North London runs out in June 2019 and Spurs have an option to renew his current deal by an extra year.

But that includes a clause which would allow him to leave for just £25 million later this year.

Reports have suggested that Spurs are unwilling to meet the player’s £150,000-a-week demands, triple his current wage, in contract extension talks - with star striker Harry Kane their highest paid player on £110,000-a-week.

That has cast doubt over his future and Spanish publication Diario Gol say Coutinho wants La Liga champions elect Barca to pounce on such uncertainty as they look to improve their defence.

Toby Alderweireld's future at Spurs is uncertain over complications with his contract

Barca were reportedly set to sign Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez in the summer but pulled out of a deal with Lionel Messi keen to ensure compatriot Javier Mascherano’s minutes were not restricted ahead of the World Cup.

But Mascherano left in January with Ernesto Valverde having relegated the Argentine to a bit-part role despite Messi’s stance, leaving Barca short of options at the back.

The Catalan giants brought in Yerry Mina from Palmeiras to replace Mascherano but the promising defender has so far played just twice for the first team.

Samuel Umtiti and Pique have been Valverde’s first-choice centre-back partnership but Barca are light on back-up options behind the pair.

Pique has even played through a knee injury of late with the Barca boss unwilling to risk Colombian Mina in important matches, such as Sunday’s win over Atletico Madrid.

And so the club are making early moves to strengthen their back-line for the 2018-19 campaign - with Alderweireld the man that Coutinho has put forward having faced him as a Liverpool player in the Premier League.

The former Atletico defender offers experience and longevity while his versatility is also enticing. 

Alderweireld can play at right back as well as in the middle, allowing Valverde to rest Sergi Roberto without compromising the quality of his starting XI.

The only issue is that Alderweireld is also a Real Madrid target, according to Diario Gol, with president Florentino Perez said to be a long-term admirer.

The 29-year-old has spent three months out with a hamstring injury this season but returned with two appearances in the FA Cup last month.